The story begins with the bride marrying off her daughter, and the woman, at the age of one hundred,

My thoughts are jumbled and my ideas are racing.

Fear transforms into a demonic obstacle, prompting the exploration of one's inner self.

Changshou was dominated by fear, and his gradually stabilizing aura became chaotic.

In that critical moment, he thought of the monkey's care for him over the years, of how he had begged the monkey to take him on the journey, and of what he had once said to the monkey:

Even if I die, I will have no regrets.

At least I tried and fought for it!

It's not just the result that matters, but also the scenery.

Thinking that I have survived for several years thanks to the monkey, and have not died on the way, I am fortunate to have climbed Lingtai Fangcun Mountain and arrived at Xieyue Sanxing Cave. I can fall before the end and be buried on this sacred mountain, so that I may bless and protect future generations.

Chang Shou's mood suddenly calmed down.

Looking again at the distracting thoughts and demonic influences, the fear gradually subsided, and instead, a sense of enlightenment arose:

To gain it is my fortune, to lose it is my fate.

What is not yours, you cannot force; what is yours, no one can take away.

As for the significance of time travel.

Since we're here, let's make the best of it.

Not all questions have answers.

Not all desires are rewarded.

All I ask for is peace of mind.

I have no shame before Heaven, no shame before men, and no shame in my own heart.

In a moment of sudden enlightenment, all thoughts vanish.

Countless fears receded like a tide.

Chang Shou felt that his mental state was better than ever before. The abundant water vapor and cold mounds in his kidneys collapsed, as if the kidney stones had been pulverized and turned into a cloud of spiritual gas.

It possesses both the softness of water and the resilience of ice.

The moment the spiritual energy ball is born, it originates from the kidneys, cleanses the limbs and bones, and absorbs the residual Qi and spirit in the meridians. When the energy ball returns, the lower dantian and the Yuanhai are opened up.

Changshou entered a state of stubborn emptiness, guarding his inner will, forcibly regulating the desires and spirits of the five internal organs, and establishing a soul from the kidneys, condensing a yin spirit.

The Guanyuan acupoint is mysterious, as if it has given birth to a mysterious space. The space is not large, only three inches, but it is enough to contain a ball of pure spiritual energy.

This pure and ethereal energy is the manifestation of the Yin spirit.

The so-called ghost immortals are actually pure and ethereal ghosts who are not disturbed by obsessions and resentment and can maintain a sliver of rationality.

The pure spiritual energy took shape the instant.

The moment the lower dantian and qi sea open.

A surge of spiritual energy nourished Changshou's withered body, like a long-dried-up pond finally receiving fresh water.

His skin-and-bones body gained some flesh and blood, his withered face gained some color, and a new strength appeared within him.

My scalp, which had long since lost all its hair, started to feel numb and itchy, as if something was about to burst out of my skin, and the more I scratched, the itchier it became.

The aroma of herbs and trees at the tip of the nose became increasingly refreshing.

The sounds of birdsong and deer calls grew even more melodious in my ears.

Chang Shou suddenly felt that life had become vibrant again.

It was as if the long-dead pond had sprouted aquatic plants again, and small fish and shrimp appeared, gaining a new vitality.

He felt that he could still hold on to this frail body and live for a while longer, to witness the blooming and withering of flowers in spring and autumn, and to see the rolling clouds in winter and summer.

This moment.

Chang Shou felt a surge of joy and enlightenment.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "I've succeeded!"

I have successfully cultivated myself into the Ghost Immortal I've always dreamed of!!!

On his deathbed, he seized a sliver of hope that belonged to him.

---

Squeak!

The tightly closed doorway opened.

The sound reached his ears, exceptionally clear.

Chang Shou looked in the direction of the sound and couldn't help but squint.

In a daze, it seemed as if a beam of light shone into the abyss.

Dispel the cold and darkness, and bring warmth and light.

Chang Shou felt like a dying fish that, in its last moments, not only leaped from a dried-up riverbed into a pond full of water, but also saw the riverbed leading to a great river.

That is the bright spot of life.

It is also the hope of transforming into a dragon.

Footsteps sounded.

A golden monkey leaped out of the light.

"Old Chang, I did it!"

I begged the patriarch to take you inside.

The monkey was overjoyed and stretched out its hands towards him.

It was as if the world had opened a ray of light to him.

Chang Shou laughed upon hearing this.

A kind and gentle smile bloomed on his still thin and wrinkled face, as if sunlight was welded to his lips.

Brilliant, bright, and full of vitality!

It carries the weight of life accumulated over the years.

It exudes a profound depth of life that sees through the ways of the world.

Caught off guard, the Monkey King was dazzled by the smile and subconsciously squinted. He realized that Old Man Chang had changed; he was no longer the cold, deep snow of the abyss, but a clear, joyful stream flowing through the mountains.

He was quick-witted and suddenly understood.

I understand that Old Man Chang is "enlightened".

He attained the Dao that he had cultivated diligently for nine years.

Thinking that Old Man Chang's wish had come true, and that he could perhaps spend more time with him, and that they could cultivate together in the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave and seek immortality together.

The Monkey King was overjoyed and couldn't contain his happiness. He scratched his ears and cheeks, then suddenly leaped up, grabbed a branch of a sturdy old pine tree, and nimbly climbed, swinging and leaping left and right.

While complaining of ADHD, he said happily:

"Hehehe! Old Chang, congratulations!"

Chang Shou laughed and replied, "Monkey, congratulations to you too!"

When the monkey landed again and reached out its arm to him, Chang Shou was slightly taken aback, and then reached out his hand.

Hands clasped together.

Willpower and emotions are conveyed silently.

Changshou stood up, his strength coming half from the monkey and half from himself.

"Old Chang, let's go!"

"Don't keep the patriarch waiting."

The Monkey King spoke.

Chang Shou nodded: "Let's go!"

I took a few steps forward.

Standing before the majestic cave entrance.

Changshou paused for a moment.

He slowly straightened his worn-out clothes, trying to make himself look presentable.

Even if it's just self-deception, no matter how you try to tidy yourself up, you'll still look disheveled and filthy, just like a lonely old beggar on the street outside the mountains.

But Changshou was still tidying up.

Because grooming is not only about outward appearance, but also about one's inner Dao heart. Every action is about wiping one's Dao heart clean, expressing one's respect for Patriarch Subhuti, and one's yearning and reverence for the Dao in one's heart.

He then asked the monkey to pick up his cane that had fallen to the side, and asked the monkey to lead the way while he walked forward with the cane in hand and a solemn expression.

Chang Shou paced slowly.

Though the pace was slow, it was exceptionally firm.

His steps were unsteady, but very powerful.

He crossed the threshold that, though not high, seemed like an abyss, and passed through the gate that, though not thick, separated the mortal and immortal realms.

The door slowly closed from behind.

After walking through the passageway, Changshou turned to look at the cave entrance that completely isolated him from the outside world, rejecting even a sliver of sunlight. His feelings were complicated.

It turns out it really is true—

If you blossom, butterflies will come.

He fought for survival, broke free from his constraints, and secured a glimmer of hope for himself. At the same time, the world that had previously shut him out also opened a door for him.

The gate at the other end of the passageway was completely closed.

Chang Shou turned his head back and followed closely behind the monkey, his steps becoming noticeably lighter.

It's as if this road is adorned with flowers.

He strode towards that future, which was unclear and uncertain, yet at least offered a glimmer of hope.

Every step taken.

He straightened his hunched back a little.

Every step taken.

The gloomy aura around him dissipated completely.

As we followed the monkey deeper and deeper into the area, the space in front of us became increasingly open, giving us a sense of sudden enlightenment.

It was indeed a hidden paradise inside.

Layer upon layer of magnificent buildings and deep pavilions stand side by side.

The palaces and pavilions, adorned with pearls and shells, are arranged in a pleasing and orderly fashion.

Amidst the ancient pines and cypresses and the myriad bamboo groves, there are countless quiet and secluded dwellings.

Amidst the shimmering waves, cascading waterfalls, and flowing springs, lies an inexhaustible haven of celestial paradise.

Turn a few corners, pass through a few corridors.

The monkey and the human quickly arrived at the foot of the Jade Terrace.